Goodfellow hosts 41st Annual Santa’s Market

Published Nov. 22, 2023
By Airman 1st Class Evelyn D'Errico
17th Training Wing Public Affairs

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --

The 17th Training Wing hosted the 41st Annual Santa’s Market at the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Nov. 18.

Goodfellow hosts 41st Annual Santa’s Market

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alexis Hernandez and Senior Airman Meagen Renfro, 17th Healthcare Operations Squadron aerospace medical technicians, demonstrate to young participants how a manual resuscitator works during the 41st Santa’s Market at the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Nov. 18, 2023. Santa’s Market invited the community on base to learn more about Goodfellow's mission.

“We’re happy to see the community and everyone having a great time,” said Beverly Wilde, 41st Santa’s Market coordinator. “It’s my favorite event every year, seeing so many arts and crafts that the kids make. It brings the community together.”

Santa’s Market is a holiday-themed festival featuring several local vendors and activities, including ornament decorating and a visit from Santa Claus.

Originating as a small holiday craft market for training students on base, Santa’s Market is now a large-scale community experience with more than 100 vendors and a large involvement with both the San Angelo and Goodfellow communities.

Goodfellow hosts 41st Annual Santa’s Market

U.S. Air Force Airman Lucy Serna, left, Airman 1st Class Tyler Warren, middle, and Airman Nathaniel Corbin, right, 17th Training Wing students volunteer at the 41st Santa’s Market at the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Nov. 18, 2023. Members of Goodfellow were able to volunteer to hand out tickets, assist with setting up the event and educate guests on the different missions carried out on base.

“San Angelo is a small city,” said U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Alexis Hernandez, 17th Healthcare Operations aerospace medical technician. “Having people who aren't military coming on base and learning about what we do makes our partnership stronger.”

In addition to the crafts and activities, the market gives local residents a chance to learn more about Goodfellow and its mission.